Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like other speakers, I welcome this legislation, which seems to be getting universal acceptance in the House. It implements a commitment given in the programme for Government not to extend the strategic housing development provisions beyond the expiry date of 25 February 2022. The SHD planning system has had an adverse impact on my constituency of Dublin Bay North. Planning permission was granted for enormous build-to-rent apartment schemes backed up by vulture funds. This was facilitated by ministerial guidelines. In the process, sustainable planning went out the window. The need for mixed-tenure developments which foster community development and integration was ignored. Communities felt under siege.

Those wishing to buy new houses were frozen from the market. Local authority area and development plans were cast aside. Areas in my constituency particularly affected by the strategic housing development provisions include Baldoyle, Clongriffin, Belmayne, Clarehall, Howth village, Griffith Avenue and, of course, it all kicked off in Dublin Bay North with a controversial planning application for 657 apartments on the playing fields of St. Paul's College at St. Anne's Park in Raheny.

One of the worst examples in all of this was in respect of the former Chivers site in Coolock. City councillors were duped into supporting the rezoning of this industrial site for housing and planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála for 471 build-to-rent units up to nine storeys high. Now, Platinum Land is flipping the site on for sale, which is outrageous.

In any event the strategic housing development process has been a complete failure. Many of the applications were bogged down in judicial reviews, as other speakers said, and the process did not deliver the much-needed housing throughout the country. That is why this legislation is so important and welcome. This Bill restores decision-making powers on large-scale residential developments to local authorities in the first instance, providing greater transparency and clarity and enhanced public participation in the process. In addition, local authorities must now ensure owner-occupier tenures are provided for and accommodated in their housing strategies. I understand that amendment was made in the Seanad. This is all good news.

I also take this opportunity to welcome the decision of Dublin city councillors last month to finally vote in favour of the proposed housing scheme at Oscar Traynor Road in Santry. There will be 853 social and affordable homes built on this site, with 40% as social housing, 40% as cost-rental housing and 20% to be sold to low- and middle-income workers qualifying under the new affordable housing scheme. This has been a very sorry saga that has gone on for years. Of course, Sinn Féin voted against this scheme last month in Dublin City Council. My hope now is that construction of this much-needed housing can commence next year. The Minister is familiar with the site on the border with his constituency. I am sure the planning process must take its course but if there is anything the Minister can do to speed up the development, it would be more than welcome for the many people on social housing lists in my constituency and also those seeking affordable housing.

I mentioned the impact of the strategic housing development provisions on my constituency. I briefly mentioned one area in particular earlier on the north city fringe bordering on Dublin Fingal, as the Minister knows. There have been massive planning applications for housing units with no consideration given to local communities. I think in particular of The Coast at Baldoyle, where only in the past few days a planning application was granted for 1,221 units. This is on top of a planning application granted during the summer in the same area for 882 units. Another planning application is apparently expected for that small site. We all want housing but there must be sustainable planning and local communities must be facilitated. That is why this legislation is so welcome.

Deputy Shortall outlined the problems with the ministerial guidelines introduced by the Minister's predecessor and the previous Government. We can see a litany of problems that the ministerial guidelines have brought about. Again, it is something the Minister must consider.

I welcome all the other measures taken by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, since he became Minister with responsibility for housing. In particular I welcome the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and the facilitation of the various schemes in that Act. I hope all the schemes remaining to be finalised can be up and running as early as possible in the new year. There is also the Land Development Agency Bill 2021, and these are two landmark pieces of legislation brought forward in record time. I have no doubt that they will make a major combined impact on the housing crisis, both here in Dublin and throughout the country.

I welcome this legislation and the Minister is fulfilling a commitment given in the programme for Government. Damage has been done because of the strategic housing development provisions and communities will have to rally around to undo it, particularly in the areas I mention on the north city fringe in Dublin Bay North, including Clongriffin and Belmayne. Fostering community development in those areas will take time because of the build-to-rent developments. There is a need for commercial development in such areas, as well as mixed tenures, so the work by public representatives and their local communities should begin. A start has been made with this legislation and I welcome all the time limits in it. The planning process should not be unduly delayed and this gives certainty to developers and others who will make these planning applications. All that is to be welcomed.

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